Cameroon's U23 Lions coach, Guy Feutchine, has released his list of 30 players called up for a training camp in Spain. This camp will take place from March 23 to 31, 2026, in Alaves and is part of the preparations for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, scheduled for next year.
A notable feature of this list is the absence of any players from the Cameroonian league. This choice may come as a surprise, given that David Pagou's last gathering highlighted several local talents. Guy Feutchine seems to be favoring players based abroad for this crucial camp.
Guy Feutchine was appointed coach of Cameroon's U23 national team on July 18, 2022. He is assisted by Laurent Djam and Pierre Ebede. His experience includes a stint as assistant to national team coach Song Bahanack during the 2018 African Nations Championship.
The U23 AFCON is a biennial tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for men's under-23 national teams. The 2026 competition will also serve as a qualifier for the Olympic Games.
In 2023, Cameroon failed to qualify for the U23 AFCON after losing to Gabon. The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) challenged the eligibility of a Gabonese player, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) rejected Cameroon's appeal.
The list of 30 players called up by Guy Feutchine represents a new stage in the team's preparation for the challenges ahead. The absence of local players raises questions about the selection policy and the importance given to the national league. The goal remains qualification for the U23 AFCON and a possible participation in the Olympic Games. The team's performance during the training camp in Spain will therefore be closely scrutinized.
The final tournament of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup took place from January 6 to 24 and was hosted by Saudi Arabia. Japan retained their title after defeating China in the final.
